1969 Mercedes 280 Sl

The Mercedes W113 SL Pagoda range of cars were introduced at the March 1963 Geneva Motor show and were manufactured between 1963 and 1971 in three variants, 230, 250 and 280SL. The 280SL produced from January 1968 to March 1971 was the final iteration of the W113SL Pagoda and featured arguably the best Pagoda power plant of all.

The 280SL was equipped with a new M130 straight six engine featuring a high lift camshaft and displacing 2. 8 litres, the M130 engine produced 168bhp @5750rpm and 177ftlb torque at 4500rpm and incorporating all the improvements from the previous 250SL models, all wheel disc brakes and duplex timing chains with a more torquey touring focused set up which has made the 280SL version the model to have especially in favoured automatic gearbox format.

My car is just that – a 280SL with Automatic gearbox - manufactured in December 1969 and was exported to and first registered in the USA. The history has a Letter of Conformity from Mercedes Benz to confirm and the important Data Sheet to verify the original specification.
The car moved to Japan in 1997 where it stayed until September 2015 when it was brought to the UK to begin an extensive documented restoration of the Pagoda which was completed in October 2018 and the car was first registered in the UK. There is a huge file of invoices from the restoration and a photographic record of the work done.
The bodywork restoration included
- All four wings, the boot floor and all foot wells and a colour change from White (050) to the current – a quite frankly stunning - Anthracite Grey (172)
The chassis work included
- All new suspension including shock absorbers, springs and countless rubbers
- All new brakes including brake master cylinder, callipers, pads and all solid and flexible brake lines
- Restoration of the steering box by Western power Steering, new slave pivot, damper and all linkages and ball joints
- Matching set of Michelin MXV white wall tyres (expensive but the best for this vehicle)
The drivetrain work included
- Engine and gearbox inspected and verified to be in excellent condition
- Engine – electronic 123 distributer and new injectors
- Engine and sub frame mountings
- Overhauled mechanical fuel injector pump and new fuel lines
- New 80 litre fuel tank
- All new cooling system hoses
- Custom Stainless Steel Exhaust system (sounds lovely)
The car was also Europeanised with the fitting of European headlights and deletion of the US emissions valves and associated wiring etc.
Finally, new wooden dash trims fitted and a full interior trim carried out in sumptuous claret leather including the rare headrest option, plus new Boucle type carpet set extended to the boot floor and sides.
Upon purchase I passed the car to Lovegrove Classics at Silchester for a full inspection with the instruction to bring the car up to an impeccable driving standard.
Lovegrove Classics work to exacting standards and know these cars inside out, they spent considerable time and effort going through every aspect of the car, fettling, setting up and renewing any components that didn’t meet their high standards to make sure this 280SL drove and handled exactly like it should and would live up to that enviable Mercedes reputation for reliability.
The result is a super desirable Mercedes Benz Pagoda 280SL with automatic transmission in possibly the most appealing colour combination that wants for nothing and drives and runs as these iconic cars should. Being a LHD car it is absolutely perfect for continental touring and a great investment for years to come that can also be enjoyed with confidence given the time, money and expertise that has gone into the restoration.

It’s a car that never fails to get appreciative comments in its stunning colour combination – be prepared to be stopped at the garage, quizzed at the pub, given thumbs-up everywhere and constantly be filmed and photographed on the road !
Car can be viewed and inspected near Thruxton in Hampshire or at Lovegrove Classics in Silchester near Reading